This past year, many people have asked me why I no longer chronicle my walks with Chuck. They tell me they enjoyed walking along with us and seeing the photos. It’s hard to believe that it’s been a few years now since I dedicated time to posting on a regular basis. It makes me happy to know that people enjoy this labor of love; I enjoy it too. So, I am resolved to resume posting in 2026.
Since I was last active here, Chuck and I have not slacked on our daily adventures. However, I have dedicated a lot of time to training for running and triathlon races. It’s a big commitment and a big life change. The time that I had previously carved out for taking and editing photos went to long runs and rides instead. I’m still training now, but I cherish long explores and I like the way taking photos makes me look at things with more attention. So, I plan to dedicate one day a week to this project. I hope you enjoy it and I welcome your comments and questions!
2026 is off to a snowy start! Today, Grace joined us and we trudged through the snow along the towpath in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Chuck pranced along, diving enthusiastically into snow drifts and trying her best to pull us into the frozen canal. Tiny tracks crisscrossed the ice and disappeared into the dry grasses along the banks. I know there are otters here; I saw them last spring playing and fishing. Today, we saw only tracks.
As we walked, a light snow fell around us. It was quiet save for the slosh of occasional car tires on Canal Road and the distant squawk of a jay. Sudden movement in the trees caught our attention. A bald eagle swooped silently over the snowy field. It perched in a far-off tree along the river and we could see it had joined another eagle. They sat together, staring down at the water intently. They were too far away for a photo, so we moved along.
The snow begin to fall more thickly. It covered our hats and blanketed our shoulders. The prints on the canal began to fill and fade. Another eagle caught our attention. It, too, flew across the field toward the river. It perched in a sycamore. To have any chance at a photo, we needed to get closer, so we left the trail and high-stepped through deep snow and dry grasses. We walked quietly and stuck to the edge of a line of trees. I was able to get a few shots before the eagle startled and took flight. It flew into the wind, snow whipping around it. With a few powerful flaps of its wings, it was gone.
